The value of Anil Kumble was underestimated

[Jono]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

Good work conditions, never has to work from September onwards.

Originally Posted by Monk

He'll be working well in to September in 2013. If you call collecting Brownlows and premiership medals "work".

[SJS]

Originally Posted by watson

Kumble's economy rate in E-N-S-S according your chart SJS was 2.60. In England specifically it was 2.84 (Average 41.41).

This number of 2.60 only appears good in your analysis because it is relative to Kumble himself. Yet if we compare it to another similar Indian leggie like Chandra then it is nothing special. Chandra had an Economy Rate of 2.72 in England, yet was still able to 'single handedly' bowl India to their first series win in England during the 1971 series. Kumble can only dream of such feats.

Kumble's Ecomomy Rate of 2.60 is actually not bad, but is still significantly worse than the likes of Derek Underwood who really knew how to contain in English conditions. His Economy Rate in England was 2.11, and that stat includes the series where he got smashed by Clive Lloyd and the West Indians.

The fact is, Kumble outside of India was very ordinary indeed, and therefore cannot be considered an ATG in any true sense. I admire his longevity and tenacity, but not his skill. If I'm going to select a skillful bowler with a reasonable Economy Rate who can win me a Test match outside of India, then I'm going to select Chandra every time. Now he was a skillful bowler.

I did not post the stats of Kumble to even hint that they were good (or bad for that matter). It was just to show that his performance did vary depending upon surface/ambient conditions which one does not realise by just looking at runs per wicket viz average.

I agree with your assessment of Kumble's performances outside India as well as the comment regarding Chandra. By the way, Kumble is not my candidate for the best spinner ever from India , not even from those I have seen since 1960's :o)

[weldone]

Originally Posted by smalishah84

Utpal who?

Utpal Chatterjee | Cricket Players and Officials | ESPN Cricinfo

He was a bowler I admired in childhood days. I have some fond memories of his Ranji Trophy heroics. He had a great First Class career, and for a long period outbowled anyone in Indian domestic circuit. If it wasn't for Mohammad Azharuddin, Chatterjee would've played more test matches than someone like Venkatapathy Raju. And yes, for a period I thought he was India's best spinner, better than Kumble - perhaps I was wrong.

[smalishah84]

perhaps?

[weldone]

Originally Posted by smalishah84

perhaps?

Haha I don't mean over their careers etc. Kumble really improved with age and experience. During Kumble's early years of First Class cricket, I didn't rate him very highly.